ACT-SO is a youth empowerment program of the Pine Bluff Branch NAACP.  The program was restarted in 2021 by MaryAnn Lee who chairs the steering committee.  The Pine Bluff program actively recruits students from Pine Bluff High School, Watson Chapel High School, and White Hall High School.  

Our program is supported by numerous volunteers who participate as recruiters, mentors or coaches, judges, and community resource facilitators.  We receive support from community groups who hosts competitions, committee meetings, and our annual awards program.

We receive generous support from individuals, corporate leaders, and community groups that believe in our mission to promote academic excellence.

ACT-SO is a year-long program that begins with recruitment of student participants and ends locally with an awards ceremony that recognizes students who achieve first, second, and third place in their competitions.  Students who achieve first place (gold medal) advances to the next level of competition which is hosted by the National NAACP.  Medal winners receive financial awards from the Pine Bluff ACT-SO program.  National winners receive thousands of dollars in prize monies and other prizes.  Also, ACT-SO participants are eligible to apply for NAACP scholarship programs aimed at ACT-SO participants.